site.btaMarket Liberalization May Force Maritsa East 2 TPP out of Operation, Trade Unions Warn

From July 1 onward, the Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power Plant will no longer be required to produce electricity for the National Electricity Company. Given that it will have to pay lots of money for harmful emissions, the plant will need to come out entirely on the free market, which will contribute to putting it out of operation. The warning was issued by Deyan Dyakov, who chairs the Confederation of Trade Unions chapter at the Maritsa East 2 TPP and sits on the Municipal Council of Stara Zagora.

Speaking at a news conference at the BTA press club in the southern city, Dyakov said the possible closure of the plant will prevent a situation where it operates at a loss, which, he said, is a crime.

The trade unionist noted that the price of electricity ranges from BGN 100/kWh to BGN 190, depending on the time of day, while the production costs are about BGN 130/kWh, and if emission payments are added, the costs amount to BGN 350. "We have no economic model to follow," he complained.

He noted, however, that there will be no layoffs until the end of 2024, as agreed with the plant management.

Dyakov expects that the price of electricity for household users will go up by about 20% as this market segment is liberalized. He recalled that in February the Stara Zagora Municipal Council came up with a declaration in support of the Maritsa East Energy Complex.

In late February, another coal-fired power plant in the complex, Maritsa East 3, came out on the free market but suspended operation. It is expected to make 160 workers redundant in May.